Developer plans assisted living community in Pooler

Health care real estate development company Shepherd Health this week announced plans for an upscale senior living community near the intersection of Interstate 16 and Pooler Parkway.

Shepherd Living at Savannah Quarters will be the first Georgia development for the Miami Beach-based company, which has a location under construction in Alabama and recently acquired CountrySide Lakes, an assisted living community in Port Orange, Fla.

The Pooler community, which is being developed in partnership with Dallas-based Cobalt Seniors, will be composed of two single-story buildings across 10 acres with a footprint of about 86,000 square feet.

The community will provide accommodations for 82 assisted living residents and 42 memory care residents. Certain amenities, including a full spa, gym and farm-to-table restaurant, will also be open to the members of the public who are age 55 and older.

"We do considerable research when deciding where to locate our communities, and we are excited to be a part of Pooler and west-side Savannah," Christine Menedis, co-founder and CEO of Shepherd Health, said in a press release.

"This is going to be a dynamic, thriving addition to the region, and we look forward to providing a highly personalized resident experience, while integrating our distinctive blend of health and wellness offerings."

Calls and emails to Menedis seeking additional information were not returned Friday.

The one- and two-bedroom apartment-style units will be leased and feature private bathrooms and kitchens. The community is also pet-friendly and will include large courtyards and gardening space.

Other amenities for residents include wine storage, a full-service salon, a greenhouse, animal therapy, extensive walking trails and a tavern to enjoy college football. Residents will also have access to daily classes ranging from meditation and gentle yoga to aerobics and circuit training, according to the release.

The Pooler development is a $26 million investment for the companies and is being developed by architectural firm Erdman and contractor DeAngelis Diamond.

Construction is expected to begin within the next 30 days and take just over two years to complete. The construction phase is expected to create about 200 jobs and more than 65 permanent positions, including caregivers, health and wellness experts, as well as food service and maintenance workers.